"It's about damn time," Pearl Modiadie says about her longtime dream to host the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) coming true.

We connect on the phone as she is doing final fittings ahead of the big night in Sun City tomorrow night. The TV and radio maven will host alongside her Metro FM co-presenter Thomas Msengana.

"I have been ready for the longest time. Why did it take them this long?" she asks.

Unlike her other spectacular hosting gigs such as the Metro FM Awards in 2017 and Crown Gospel Music Awards for the past three years, the 31-year-old was not offered the coveted job. She and Msengana had to audition for it.

"With every audition, I take it very seriously. I give them already at the audition what I will give on stage - hair, make-up, clothing and delivery.

"I advised Thomas to do the same and he showed up in a suit for the audition. Two weeks later we got it."

The Tembisa-born beauty has been working closely with her go-to stylist Lesego Kgosimolao to curate high-fashion looks for the night.

Modiadie plans to rock six outfit changes on the night from designers such as Scalo by Sello Medupe and Biji La Maison.

"People can expect a night of celebration. From Thomas and me you can expect the chemistry you are accustomed to on radio," she teases.

"I love fashion and being experimental. I just want to give people a show."

Continuing to kick off the year with a bang, Modiadie is making her much-awaited acting comeback. TimeOut can exclusively reveal that she has joined the cast of e.tv soapie Rhythm City.

Although the show is keeping her role top secret for now, she has already started shooting. Modiadie is expected to make her on-screen debut next month.

"The acting bug has bitten me again and that's what's next for me," Modiadie says.

She has had small roles in Scandal! and Generations.

Last November, the Zaziwe talk show host received the biggest honour of her 13-year career when she was named favourite TV presenter at the DStv Viewers' Choice Awards. Modiadie beat industry heavyweights such as Lerato Kganyago, Anele Mdoda, Carol Tshabalala and Thomas Mlambo.

She was unable to accept the award in person as she was in Durban on the same weekend to host the Crown Gospel Music Awards.

"It was amazing. I had never won anything for the work that I do. I didn't even campaign that much," she reflects.

"It meant so much for me that people voted without me forcing it down their throats.

"It proved to me that people are recognising what I do. My heart broke because I couldn't be there to accept the award in person."

After calling off her wedding to Nkululeko Buthelezi last year, Modiadie says at the moment she is in a good space and happy.

Her romantic life is "going well", she says.